May 2015

Eyam 350th Plague Commemoration: Peak Pilgrimage Summary

As part of the commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the plague, the people of Eyam Church are creating a permanent new pilgrimage route for walkers through the Peak District National Park – the 35 mile Peak Pilgrimage route from Ilam to Eyam - to be opened up in July 2015. This initiative is being supported by the Diocese of Derby and the Peak District National Park.    

Eyam 350th Plague Commemoration: Here We Stay

 Saturday 18th July @ 7.30pm in the Church.

New Perspectives presents a world premiere of Here We Stay by David Rudkin

Described by The Observer as 'Britain's greatest living dramatic poet', visionary writer David Rudkin gives the Plague a central voice as narrator in a dramatic new telling of events at Eyam 350 years ago.

The region's leading touring theatre company New Perspectives presents a staged reading of this moving and haunting new play, featuring live music and a cast to be announced.

Eyam 350th Plague Commemoration: The Roses of Eyam Promenade Play

16th‐20th June 2015 7pm 

The Roses of Eyam Promenade Play uses the real life location to tell the story  of the village that lost a third of its population to the plague. 

The play begins with the fateful arrival in Eyam  of a horse and trap laden with  “nowt but the latest fashions” but in fact infested with fleas carrying the  deadly plague and charts 13 months of isolation, self sacrifice and heartbreak  among the villagers. 

Sinfonia Viva Innovative Approach Gains Recognition

East Midlands’ regional orchestra Sinfonia Viva has won further recognition for its innovative approach to music-making – working with key partners to develop creative community projects with people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.

The Grammy Award-winning Orchestra, which already has a national reputation for its education and community work and is an Arts Council National Portfolio organisation, has reached the final stages of two significant awards.

Jenson Button Trust Triathlon Announce Closed Road Cycle Route

The Jenson Button Trust Triathlon are excited to announce that for the first time in the event’s history, competitors will race along closed city roads as part of the cycle route, making it one of a very limited number of UK triathlons that have a closed road city centre cycle route.

On the news the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion said;

Triathlon Novices Invited To Introduction Training Days Jenson Button Trust Triathlon

Derby – 12th July 2015

Budding triathletes who are gearing up to take part one of Derby’s most high profile sporting events this summer are being invited to a series of training days to prepare for the big day.

Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon which will be held for the first time in Derby on Sunday July 12.

Novice and amateur sports people will compete alongside professional triathletes and Jenson Button himself in the event which will be based at Markeaton Park.

Poetry Editing Workshop with Cathy Grindrod

Saturday 27th June 2015, 10am to 1pm at County Hall, Matlock

How do you know when your poem is finished? How can you view it objectively? Do you sometimes over-edit?

This practical and supportive workshop aims to give you more confidence in editing your own work by taking a focused look at the poetry revision process.

We will share poems we would like to redraft and use a guided process to help edit both our own and each others’ work, and discuss what for each of us makes a good poem.

The cost for the workshop is £10.

Join Made In Derbyshire at the Derbyshire Food Fair this weekend and grab a copy of the Derbyshire Cook Book!

The Made In Derbyshire campaign has gone from strength to strength since launching at the start of 2015. There are thousands of followers on social media and nearly 500 companies have registered with the website so far to show their support for the campaign and their pride in their county.

Derbyshire Literature Festival in 2015 has been themed Made In Derbyshire and there are many more Made In Derbyshire themed events on the near horizon.

Merry May Entertainment in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter

CQ Saturdays Knickerbocker Glorious,Derby’s premier outdoor variety showcase, returns to the Cathedral Quarter on Saturday 16th in the merry, merry month of May.

With four hours of fun and fantastic entertainment for all the family, CQ Saturdays Knickerbocker Glorious takes place at The Waterfall Stage in the Market Place from 11am till 3pm.

The day will be compered by Dan Webber who will be joined on stage by a host of local and regional performers including a number of talented singer songwriters. 

Lonsdale Looks To Tackle Swimming Teacher Shortage

Lonsdale Swimming & Sports Trust is stepping up recruitment of swimming teachers to cater for the current and future demand for lessons.

The charitable Trust oversees Gayton Pool in Littleover on behalf of Derby City Council and  Lonsdale Pool in Mickleover, which it is currently hoping to replace with a new £4 million facility as soon as another local 1.5 acre site can be found.

Hula Hoop Workshop Builds Excitement for Herculean Performance

Visitors to Intu Derby shopping centre on Saturday May 23 will be invited to join a hula hoop workshop and flashmob as part of the build-up to an exciting performance which is coming to Derby Theatre on Friday June 12.

‘Hercules’ has been created by and stars award-winning comedy double act Tom Roden and Pete Shenton of New Art Club who are performing in the city as part of their 15-venue UK tour.

Arts in the Village Festival at Peak Shopping Village in Rowsley

The Old Station Gallery in Rowsley have a busy few weeks ahead and excitement is mounting at the prospect of hosting the gallery's inaugural Arts Festival this Spring Bank Holiday 2015.

Approx 30 Artists and Artisans will be exhibiting their work throughout the Old Station Gallery, a second venue within Peak Shopping Village and under the canopies leading up to the gallery. The festival will take place on Sunday 24th & Monday 25th May 2015 from 10am until 5pm.

Darley Abbey Day returns on 13 June: read all the highlights

The official opening in St Matthew’s Church will be performed by TV celebrity auctioneer from Bamfords, James Lewis and the Mayor of Derby compered by Andy Potter of Radio Derby, after which the Old Vicarage and Walter Evans schools and St Matthew’s Church Choir will sing in the church, followed by another selection of music. The day continues at various locations throughout the village with a range of activities, such as:

Darley Abbey Day returns in 2015 for its fifth biennial

The village of Darley Abbey, on the northern outskirts of Derby, is busy making plans for its fifth biennial Darley Abbey Day, which will be held on 13th June.  The day starts with the opening ceremony at 11 o’clock, continues at various locations throughout the village and culminates in a Barbecue with Entertainment in the Village Hall in the evening.

Darley Abbey Day showcases our beautiful village and the various organisations and businesses in it, providing a fun day for all ages and raises money for local charities.

Disability Rocks comes to Lea Green near Matlock on 9 May

On Saturday, 9th May Lea Green plays host to Disability Rocks, the UK’s leading live music and arts festivals created for people of all ages living with a range of disabilities. 

The all-day festival runs from 11:30am until 7:30pm with a packed schedule which spans music, comedy and workshops. 

The musical line-up features Miles Hunt and Ericka Nockalls of The Wonder Stuff, Martin Stephenson, formerly of The Daintees and reggae and ska band, The Paradimes. 

Other highlights include:

Prince’s School for Derbyshire Artist

In order to raise funds to help towards her two-year study fees and living costs, Lizzie has launched a crowdfunding campaign during May and June, offering rewards for donations in order to reach her target figure of £16,000.

Poem a Month for May

The panel chose this poem because they liked the way it juxtaposes pairs of ideas - the two counties, past and present, the spiritual and the everyday - but is based on an actual experience and place.

As Ralph explains:

'Alstonefield is a border town, Staffordshire-Derbyshire, Manifold-Dove and it welcomes both. I have never before been in a church like St Peter’s where you can make a cup of tea and share it with fellow travellers including those from the past who were less equal.'

Church China

Denby Pottery, a potted history

If you’ve ever been shopping for crockery, then you’ll be familiar with the distinctive Denby ware, which you will find in department stores alongside other popular British brands like Wedgwood, Royal Worcester and Royal Crown Derby. Denby tableware is known for its strength and durability, and the Derbyshire company that produces it has been manufacturing and innovating for over 200 years.

Artists gather for Heart for Hathersage fundraiser

Seventeen painters and photographers have already signed up for a fundraising art exhibition in Hathersage in June.

Work from painters John Hardwick, Lyn Littlewood, Lizzie Shuttleworth, Philip Key, Shirley Longstaff, Martin Decent, Wendy Butler, Ingrid Karlsson-Kemp and Jill Ray will join photography by Simon Bull, Stuart Roy Clarke, Ian Fretwell and Tony Marshall for the event at Hathersage Memorial Hall on Saturday June 6 from 9am until 5pm.

New Mills Town Hall Presents The Young'Uns on May 4th

BBC Radio2 Folk Awards Best Group Winners 2015

 

The Young’uns are a force of nature on stage. Their irrepressible humour, infectious love for harmony singing, passion for storytelling and commitment to maintaining the tradition of social commentary have quickly made them one of the most sought after acts on the English folk scene with the rare ability to make audiences laugh and cry in equal measure.

Meet TV Antiques Expert Charles Hanson in Bolsover

Visitors to next month’s Bolsover Antiques and Collectors Fair are invited to bring family heirlooms and car boot bargains to be valued by one of TV’s best known antiques experts.

Charles Hanson, who presents on BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip shows, will host a valuation session on Bolsover Market Place – just a short walk from Bolsover Castle – on Sunday 24 May. 

A native to Derbyshire, Charles runs Hanson’s Auctioneers and Valuers in Etwall, which holds international auction sales featuring a huge variety of collectables.